Oh RATs! Covid close contacts without symptoms will now have to take four tests instead of two if they use rapid antigen tests
Want to do a RAT instead of a PCR test if you feel healthy but have been named a close contact? You can . . . but instead of two you’ll now be made to do one on Day 1, 3, 5 and 7.
SA News
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SA Health says those who are named close contacts but have no symptoms will now have to take at least four Covid tests instead of the usual two – if they choose to use rapid antigen tests.
It follow news yesterday that SA Health again overhauled its testing rules to require a symptomatic close contact to have a “gold standard” SA Pathology PCR swab where previously it was only recommended.
Chief health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said in a statement today that “to improve the sensitivity of the RAT, close contacts without symptoms who chose RAT will be provided with a pack of 4 to 5 RATs” instead of two.
She said people would be required to undertake these tests on days 1, 3, 5 and 7.
“This is because we know that RATs are more likely to pick up the disease during the most infectious middle period of the disease,” she said in the statement.
It is understood this is to further push people to go and get a PCR test rather than rely on the less accurate RATs.
“South Australia has responded well to the impacts of Omicron and its pleasing to see the number of daily cases starting to decrease, but this is not the time to become complacent.
“RATs can be a great tool for regular surveillance testing, however PCR tests remain the gold standard test.”
If you have COVID-19 symptoms and test negative using a RAT, you should still get a PCR test to confirm the negative result. If you get a positive RAT, this is accepted as being positive for Covid.
Amid a sharp fall in testing that has opened up capacity and relieved demand pressures at more than 86 testing stations, SA Health chiefs have advised the state government new changes can be introduced as early as Sunday.
Premier Steven Marshall said in a press conference today that those wanting a PCR test would face very short wait times and get their results the same day.
“You can go and line up right now and have your results later in the day,” he said.
He also encouraged South Australians to go and get their booster as soon as possible.
Legal directions, authorised by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, state people must get a lab throat and deep-nose swab if their RAT is positive.
Lab testing rates have fallen from a high of almost 26,000 on New Year’s Eve, when lines were more than nine hours long, to 7031 last Tuesday.
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Originally published as Oh RATs! Covid close contacts without symptoms will now have to take four tests instead of two if they use rapid antigen tests
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